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Parks as Classrooms

Students participate in Pickett's Charge.

NPS Photo

FIELD TRIPS

"Best Field Trip Ever!" Planning Kit

Just getting started with your field trip planning? Be sure to check out the "Best Field Trip Ever!" planning kit pdf to learn about all of your options. This pdf has sections for the planning teacher, the chaperones, and the students.

A field trip to Gettysburg is the perfect way to help teach the history and stories of the Civil War. Build upon these unique opportunities for experiential learning all year long. We have two seasons of Ranger-led education programs. Schedule your Ranger Field Programs at Gettysburg today.

Please e-mail us your school mailing address if you would like more information about this program. We can also mail you a reservation booklet for all education programs and events for the 2018-2019 school year.

Battlefield Footsteps

Walk in the path of these regiments to learn about courage, determination,

leadership, citizenship and more!

Citizenship: Untold Stories from the Battle of GettysburgVisit the homes of a widow who surrendered her home for the commanding general, an African-American farmer facing the approaching Confederate army, and an immigrant whose husband was off fighting for their new country. What did the battle, and the war, mean to these civilians and the rest of their lives?Grades: 4-12 Class Size: 10-35 Length: 90 minutes

Courage & the 9th Massachusetts Battery, July 2Practice the loading and firing procedure, and then follow in the path and harried activity of this as yet untested artillery unit.Grades: 4-12 Class Size: 15-45 Length: 90 minutes

Determination & the 15th Alabama Infantry, July 2Climb Big Round Top and attack Little Round Top after a forced march, and without any water… and then explore how your students can apply these lessons of determination.Grades: 4-12 Class Size: 15-45 Length: 90 minutes

Leadership & the 6th Wisconsin Infantry, July 1"Align on the Colors" with Lt. Colonel Rufus Dawes as you rush toward an unfinished railroad cut filled with firing Confederate soldiers. Will the cut serve as cover, or will it become a trap?Grades: 4-12 Class Size: 15-45 Length: 90 minutes

Teamwork & Pickett's Division, July 3Walk in formation across the field of Pickett's Charge, about one mile, role-playing individual soldiers. Group unity and participation are stressed.Grades: 4-12 Class Size: 15-45 Length: 90 minutes

Civil War Perspectives

Ask about museum lesson plans that compliment these program perspectives!

Caring for the Wounded: A Civil War HospitalFollow the path of a soldier from campaign to battle, to first aid, to transport, to field hospital, and finally to recovery. Set up a field hospital and role play Civil War first aid and triage.Grades: 5-12 Class Size: 10-35 Length: 90 minutes

Fallen Soldiers: The National Cemetery and Gettysburg AddressStudents work in small groups simulating the process of soldier identification following the battle, read letters of the soldiers, graveside, and apply them to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address - a unique and emotional primary source experience.Grades: 7-12 Class Size: 10-35 Length: 90 minutes

Join the Army: Life of a Civil War SoldierParticipate in activities and discussions that present the training, equipment, life and feelings of the volunteer soldiers, including the medical exam, Oath of Allegiance, marching drill, and captain's speech before first battle!Grades: 2-6 Class Size:10-35 Length: 90 minutes

Slyder Family Farm: Before, During, and After the BattleHike down a trail to the John Slyder farm, and rotate through farming chore stations. Then roleplay the Slyder family and the soldiers they came into conflict with on July 2, 1863.Grades: 4-8 Class Size: 15-30 Length: 90 minutes

CURRICULUM MATERIALS

Preparation lesson plans for all of our curriculum-based ranger field trip programs, as well as the Teacher's Guide for the "Life of a Civil War Soldier" Traveling Trunk program are all here!